If you were an athlete, you'd expect feedback all the time. Your coach may even record you to play back your performance and pick it to pieces so you'd improve.
If you were a musician you'd expect feedback all the time. Your tutor or audience would react to your performance and you'd understand how to get better.
If you were a chef you'd expect feedback all the time. People would either clear their plates or not - either way you'd understand how to up your game.
If you're a manager feedback may not always be readily available. How do you know where you need to improve? How do you know how your teams feel? How do you know if there are things you can do better?
Managers are expected to perform a varied role to exceptionally high standards, with sometimes little or no knowledge of where their strengths and opportunities lie. How are they expected to improve without it?
Feedback allows us to see ourselves through the eyes of others. It allows us to alter the way we behave so that we continue to grow, improving not only our performance, but that of our teams. It allows us to practice new skills and change for the better - and if no-one is prepared to give it to you, make it a habit to ask.
You can't be the best without it!
Barbara Nixon
